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She tossed the comb in her tote and spun. “And yet, you think I should focus on you?”

“I think you could do better,” I whispered. “That’s all. If not me, then someone who is actually talented.”

She set her jaw. “I told you I was busy. I didn’t mean to start a fight or to bruise your ego. And no, I’m not fucking him.”

A group of people I didn’t know stared. Chloe didn’t so much as bat an eyelash, but I flushed bright red and followed her towards the stall.

“Chloe, that’s not my business,” I said, voice low. “And I wasn’t asking that. I just want to make sure we’re good. Can we talk?”

Chloe debated it, tapping her toe all the while, “Take me for lemonade. There’s this place up the way.”

32. LEMONADE

CHLOE

We sipped lemonade in my car. I wasn’t sure where to begin with Cole. The smell of his cologne and the way he looked made me want him all over again. I swooned over his desire to help put away my tack. All I wanted to do was fall right back into bed with him, but that was a bad idea. Unsure of what to say, I just sucked down the one thing I craved more than the idea of tying him up and telling him to shut up until I got off.

“I don’t know if something happened on the camping trip,” Cole said. “I know we talked about having a family and all that and you got a little offended. I just want to apologize again.”

He thought he offended me? Why?

“Cole, it’s fine. You don’t⁠—”

“No, no. You don’t need to feel bad about it. I’ve gotten so much unsolicited parenting advice in my time. There was no need for me to tell you what to do or to sound down on you for wanting to do it alone.”

I’d almost forgotten about that part of our talk. The only thing I remembered was his words about not wanting to have any more kids and how much he hated that idea. And, oh, the part where he told me he didn’t want to have kids especially with me!

“It’s okay. I really am just tired and worn down.” I faked a smile. “And I’m surprised since you’re not supposed to be here.”

“Riley made it sound kind of urgent. We’re going out in the morning bright and early.”

I looked at my cup.

“I’d really like you to come even if you don’t ride.”

“Why?”

“I value your opinion.”

I could tell this meant the world to Cole. I also knew it mattered to Piper more than I’d ever know and remembered how it mattered to me when my parents surprised me with my first full-sized hunter at age twelve. I may have wanted to do cool things with Cole, but I’d never be lukewarm about Piper. That was one thing he and I agreed on. The problem was that I couldn’t ride a young, green horse. I’d drawn the line there. I stuck to known quantities only.

“I can’t ride, but I will try to make it work,” I said.

Cole’s face lit up. Relief spread along his smile lines. I wanted to ignore the way his smile sent me, but I couldn’t. I reached out to brush his face and feel the bristle from his stubble. It was almost instinct, but I pulled back. We were both aware of my intent, stuck but unwilling to name it.

“Chlo,” Cole said.

“Yes?”

“You can touch me. No one we know is here. We’re alone.”

“I know,” I said. “But I shouldn’t.”

“Why?”

“Because… we can’t be together. My life is a mess. Yours is complicated.”

He squeezed my hand. “Chloe, my life may be complicated and messier than yours, but I still wouldn’t mind at least taking you out on a date.”